Well it hasn't been much of a weekend weather-wise but if you can push yourself out the door for a run, the moist conditions can actually be pretty favourable for a good trot! I headed out for a 30km run yesterday in the misty rain, it's the farthest I have ever run in my life, and to be honest I wasn't sure if I could do it. The course was a there-and-back from Beckenham to Sumner, and the thing that gets me about a there-and-back is the further you go, the further you have to come back! And if you're not feeling great on the way out, it becomes a real mental battle to keep going. Maybe that's a good thing though. If you check out the link to the run I logged on mapmyrun, the dips in pace is where I slowed to chug back a squeezy - something I don't often do on runs for some reason. I really think they helped though. The body is feeling a bit sore today, muscles and joints, but not too bad, I'm glad it's a rest day today! So get out there for a hoon, enjoy the cooler temperature and splash in some puddles, then come home for a nice hot shower - you just can't beat it.

I headed up to Hanmer on the weekend to take part in the Four Square half marathon.

It was a cracker of a day, perfect running conditions and the scenery was awesome. I've done it before, but only the 10km a few years ago so the half was a good, new challenge. I think there were about 1200 people entered and man there were some fit bods there! The atmosphere was great, so many positive, energetic people, I loved the whole thing.

My mate Jon and I stuck together for the whole 21kms, we just took it easy and enjoyed the run. Coming down the chute at the finish line was awesome, lots of people clapping and cheering us on, it was so cool and such a great feeling. It really made me think of Quickie Events, of course I'd love to have those big numbers, but what I noticed was the Quickies we've had so far have had a great vibe too - everyone has been so supportive - of the event and each other. That's what makes it so satisfying, seeing people getting out there and challenging themselves amongst other like minded people. Hopefully over the coming months/years Quickies will continue to grow, but for now it's good to know we're on the right track, creating cool events, providing realistic training goals and acting as a stepping stone on to bigger distances.

I figured I'd get ahead with planning while I had the time on the weekend, and got through most of the admin for A Quickie In The Forest duathlon at Bottle Lake Forest Park.

There are still plans to hold a couple more Quickies before Forest, during the winter months - hopefully in the Port Hills and at Halswell Quarry, but seeing as I can use the same tracks as last year's Quickie in the Forest event, I thought I'd launch it sooner rather than later, and get back to work on finding those frustrating tracks up the hills.

If you took part in 2012, then we'd love to see you again and it'll be great to compare times, it's a good goal to smash last year's time that's for sure. For all the new comers, you're very welcome, it's a great event and the Bottle Lake tracks provide heaps of cool variation in terrain and scenery.

So keep Sunday the 1st of September free and welcome spring in style with A Quickie in the Forest!